Indiana Center Kel'el Ware Getting Treatment, Uncertain For Saturday At Purdue
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana's 76-73 win over Ohio State on Tuesday came with yet another injury concern for the Hoosiers.
With about 10 seconds left in the game, Kel'el Ware stripped the ball from Jamison Battle, but as the 7-footer went up for a dunk, he planted his left leg awkwardly and missed the layup. Ware had a noticeable limp after the play, and Woodson replaced him with Anthony Walker.
Fortunately for Indiana, Anthony Leal flew in to grab the offensive rebound. He sunk two free throws, and Indiana got a stop on the final possession to secure a win that required an 18-point comeback. Postgame, Ware walked into the tunnel under his own power.
Before the Hoosiers' rivalry game at No. 2 Purdue on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET, Indiana coach Mike Woodson gave an update on Ware's status.
"We had to give him the day off [Wednesday], so he basically went through treatment," Woodson said Thursday. "So I'll know more today when we practice to see where he is."
Ware wasn't effective as usual Tuesday against Ohio State, and foul trouble was a big reason. He played just 10 minutes in the first half before picking up two fouls, and four total fouls in the game limited him to just 26 minutes. Ware finished with six points on 3-for-10 shooting, one rebound and one assist.
Trey Galloway and Malik Reneau picked up the slack, combining for 51 points, and Leal hit the clutch 3-pointer and free throws in the final seconds.
The Hoosiers will certainly need Ware on Saturday against Purdue and 7-foot-4 center Zach Edey, the favorite to repeat as National Player of the Year. Ware enters the game averaging 14.8 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.6 blocks per game, while shooting 55.3% from the field and 42.9% from 3-point range.
He has nine double-doubles on the season, but struggled in his first matchup against Edey and the Boilermakers. Ware finished with five points on 2-for-6 shooting, six rebounds and two blocks, and first-half foul trouble limited him to 26 minutes. Meanwhile, Edey racked up 33 points and 14 rebounds at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
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